How do Europeans feel about Americans?

The Ugly American. Is it a myth, fact, or somewhere in between? I'm curious the immpression Europeans have of Americans. Did you have one immpression, and it changed later? As a second thought, do Europeans believe Americans have culture?

I think on the whole we think you're okay, you have faults the same as any other nation. The heratige thing is funny though :)

I was reading a blog on msn that asked this question.....According to the answers, when Americans are abroad in groups, they tend to be seen as loud and disrespectful of others around them.....individuals are seen as more reserved and respectful. I agree with Amathyst though, that we are no different from any other nation when it comes to faults....we all have them.

Poles rather normal, but some like Frenchies or Belgians don't like Yanks.

In the Uk its a mixed feeling, many do like Americans themselves and others do not. Generally though a lot of people don't like where our country stands politically with America as the so called "special relationship" is viewed as a one way thing.

Politically speaking, I have learned that most people don't care for the US policies, but here the question was about the American people.....of course, some believe that the people are representative of the govt. and vice versa, which is not necessarily the case. I do find the opinions interesting though. I will admit, being a member of this forum has opened my eyes to a lot of things I would not have been aware of otherwise, most of that being how we are viewed by other countries.

Europeans underestimate american culture.It seems too simple to them.
In fact I think americans have great culture and most importantly they are open minded and look at the future while europeans prefer to look at the past.

This forum has certainly opened up my eyes in regards to other countries.

My cousin and her husband are coming over from Alabama next month, they want me to take them to Glastonbury...I don't think it's what they're expecting

what do you think they are expecting?

Same can be said for the English.

As for the politics, I judge a person not their government...

I have to admit my views on Americans have changed since coming to the forum I rather like most of them :)

They're very religious, they want to see the abbey, so I think they'll be looking for a different kind of spirituality that Glastonbury offers...I think te locals will be a bit of a culture shock for them.

Where else do you find an estate agent with a newsletter like this

http://www.ralphbending.com/rr_june.pdf

Okay....here my two cents:

I have overall a good opinion of Americans personally...As a German I often enjoyed their immediate friendliness and openess to strangers...as a German I distrusted it always tough....I mean...come on....how can you be friends with someone you just knew for an hour??? :)
(We Germans need a time to open up to a stranger, makes us look arrogant and hostile/cool/rude/aloof)

US gov? Yeah...well....

But as a German the whole concept of the US sounds strange to me....you grow up in one country then you decide to immigrate and become a US-citizen...incl. patriotic flag waving and anthem singing with tear in eye...
I would always stay a German wherever I were...it's the blood and soil thing I think...:)

the abbey is a very spiritual place, as is the tor... if you are in that part of the world then pop into sherbourne or salisbury abbey...

This is a joke. Americans are very friendly and helpful people (at least to me). I live with Americans in the same house and they never said or did something to make me feel bad.
Not the Americans I know. They believe in God but they don't go to the church everyday
for example like most of Polish people.
Hey, very smart comment for a change southern

no, I was talking about my cousin and her husband, they are very religious

americans do have a great culture, its just different...

looking to the future is an interesting concept... from a cultural business perspective the americans' time frame for the future is very different from a brit's... we can see an example of this in the post iraq invasion planning... or lack there of... in a business context an american's idea of short, medium and longterm future is often different than the brits or other western europeans

In what way, BW? <btw: big smiles>

Formation of the United States of America (1776-1789)
that why they look to the future becouse they dont have any past
nice people like fisz ,George Washington, jordan,kennedy. etc

WOW, Fisz has some impressive company :)

For example the americans helped the defeated Germany to revive economically after WW2 with Marshall plan finance.Compare this to the french demand for enormous financial compensations from Germany after WW1 in Verssailes treaty.Where did the french policy lead?Because the French looked at the past at 1870 war,Napoleon they wanted to keep Germany defeated forever.While americans looked at the future realizing they would have to pay if german economy did not rise.

columbus didnt go to america , he was already there having a nice holiday in the caribean and then the catholic kings called him on the mobile to...........

Actually I think he received an e-mail but he had left the lap-top in his ship.With so many cuban ladies dancing around the catholic kings ...were far away.

LOL, that's funny.

very good insight, but at the same time, I think europe is keeping their past
( meaning culture) alive, which isnt a bad thing, because each country has
a unique culture to share.

We are a nation of "hurry up"...."right now"...."add water and stand back"....."instant everything"....."you snooze, you lose"....."strike while the iron is hot"....."don't put off until tomorrrow what you can do today"......"why wait when you can have it now"....."get in on the bottome floor" (for stock investments).....

This idea permeates everything.......and not always good. :)

this is something that at times i think is more apparent to the rest of the world than to the average american...

And it is most prevalent on the east coast in contrast to the west coast.

In the east...your wristwatch is your god and master..... :)
And your PDA, or Blackberry or whatever tool commands your life..... :)

(freaky though...I can guess the time within 30 minutes margin, without my watch....that can't be healthy!) :(